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Blue Jays place Lind on DL, call up Francisco

4/15/14: Adam Lind gives the Blue Jays the lead as he scores on Moises Sierra's ground out to first

By Gregor Chisholm
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MLB.com |

CLEVELAND -- The Blue Jays placed designated hitter Adam Lind on the 15-day disabled list after Friday night's 3-2 win over the Indians because of a sore lower back.

Lind suffered the injury on Tuesday night in Minnesota and was originally considered day to day. The hope was that the Blue Jays could buy some time for Lind's injury to heal, but it became apparent as the week progressed that this wasn't going to be a short-term issue.

The Blue Jays simply couldn't afford to wait any longer because they're already using a three-man bench, and being short another player would have meant serious repercussions for everyone on the 25-man roster. As a result, Toronto purchased the contract of infielder Juan Francisco to provide some additional depth.

"He's making progress, but we need that bat in the lineup to fill that spot," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Our bench is short enough as it is, plus with him being out, it's really short, and Major League club, you have to have all of your options."

Lind will travel to the club's Minor League complex in Dunedin, Fla., on Saturday morning. He'll receive treatment there and eventually start resuming baseball activities. Since injuring his back, he has been limited to throwing catch and very casually shagging fly balls.

Toronto will now turn to Francisco to help fill the void. Francisco likely will receive some time at DH, first base and potentially even third if Brett Lawrie needs a day off at some point within the next week and a half.

The 26-year-old Francisco comes with some Major League experience already under his belt. He hit 18 homers last season with the Braves and Brewers and is a career .243 hitter in 298 games. Francisco signed a Minor League contract with Toronto one week into the season and now has an opportunity to make an impact at the next level.

"He's a good hitter, he has some pop," Gibbons said. "Played a little third, first base, that way it will give us a chance to give [Edwin Encarnacion] a little break over there too. Plus he's playing good down there."

Francisco hit .349 with a .429 on-base percentage and a 1.010 OPS in 11 games for Buffalo. He had two home runs, five extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in just 43 at-bats.